As laid out by the Legislature, the Energy Policy Review Commission accepted public comments on the subjects being considered in the mandate of the Energy Policy Review Commission between the period of May 2, 2013 through May 17, 2013. A draft report was published on October 18, 2013, with public comments on that accepted through October 28, 2013.

Acts of 2012, Chapter 209, Section 41

SECTION 41. (a) There shall be an energy policy review commission established to research and review the economic and environmental benefits, as well as, the economic and electricity cost implications of energy and electricity policies in the commonwealth. The commission shall report to the legislature recommendations on how to: (i) further expand the commonwealth’s renewable energy portfolio and promote energy-efficiency; (ii) encourage business development and job creation; (iii) reduce the costs associated with energy programs funded, in whole or in part, by the commonwealth, while maximizing the benefit of these programs; (iv) reduce the cost of electricity for commercial, industrial and residential customers; and (v) increase electricity reliability.

(b) (1) The commission shall consist of 9 members: 1 of whom shall be the secretary of energy and environmental affairs, who shall serve as chair; 1 of whom shall be the attorney general or a designee; 1 of whom shall be a person appointed by the Associated Industries of Massachusetts; 4 of whom shall be persons who are experts in energy efficiency or renewable energy generation, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the president of the senate, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate; and 2 of whom shall be appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be a representative of a Massachusetts energy efficiency business with 10 or fewer employees, and 1 of whom shall be a representative of an institution of higher education and who is also an expert in the structure of the regional wholesale electricity market. A vacancy in the commission shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made.

(2) The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

(3) The powers of the commission shall include, but not be limited to: (i) using voluntary and uncompensated services of private individuals, agencies and organizations as may be offered or needed; (ii) recommending policies and making recommendations to agencies and officers of the commonwealth and local subdivisions of government to effectuate the changes outlined in subsection (a); (iii) enacting by-laws for the commission’s own governance; and (iv) holding regular public meetings, fact-finding hearings and other public forums as the commission considers necessary.

(4) The commission may request from all state agencies such information and assistance as the commission may require. The commission may also request such information from companies and organizations with state contracts that provide services relative to the scope of the commission.

(5) The commission shall issue a report which shall include, but not be limited to, an analysis of the estimated or actual economic and environmental benefits, as well as, economic cost, electricity cost and implication for electricity reliability of: (i) implementing administrative, regulatory and legislative rulemaking as it pertains to electricity and the structure of the wholesale electricity market; and (ii) meeting legislative and administrative goals and requirements related to greenhouse gas reductions, energy efficiency and renewable energy generation.

(6) The commission shall, at minimum, research, evaluate, consider and report on: (i) determining consistent metrics to be utilized to evaluate the success and cost-effectiveness of programs under chapter 169 of the acts of 2008; (ii) the associated economic and environmental impact of scheduled increases in demand resources, aggregate net metering capacity and renewable energy capacity; (iii) the structure of the regional wholesale electricity market and its impact on retail electricity costs; and (iv) the overall impact of the commonwealth’s energy and electricity policies on economic growth in the commonwealth, specifically net job creation and business development, establishment and retention.

(c) (1) The commission shall consult with electric distribution companies, natural gas distribution companies, green businesses residing in the commonwealth and other interested parties, providing at least 1 opportunity for public comment, as well as, the public review of the commission’s draft report prior to filing the report with the general court.

(2) The commission shall convene its first meeting by November 1, 2012 and shall submit its report, along with any recommendations for legislative or regulatory reforms, not later than July 1, 2013 with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate who shall forward a copy of the report to the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities and energy.

(3) The commission shall reconvene after July 31, 2017, under this section, and shall submit a second report, along with any recommendations for legislative or regulatory reforms, not later than July 1, 2018 with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate who shall forward a copy of the report to the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities and energy.

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